Sansa Stark

I don't think it's the same about sex work though because it's considered to be shameful, working at walmart isn't stigmatised. People who work in retail or customer service aren't dehumanised

Paedantic Basterd

I would say that--and by no means am I implying that the extents are equivalent, or comparable in a debate--customer service work is both stigmatized and dehumanized. It is done in a very different manner and very a separate sphere, however, which is ultimately for another discussion.

Neapolitan

I don't think that is the case and there are things in the media like "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" and 99% of mass media (aka Hollywood) that glamorizes porn. It's not about how only one side is only represented in the media. I think that side dominates the issue.

On the other hand I think Vanilla's side isn't really represent, and she brought up a valid point, I don't think she has a sick fascination with horror stories. It's the brutal truth of the matter whether people acknowledge it or not. She chooses to speak about it I don't think anyone can fault her for it.

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Astronomer

It's also a little ignorant to believe that the glamorised and empowering sex work in the Western world reflects the experiences that women have across the globe. Sex workers in developing countries are something like 15 more times more likely to be infected with HIV, not to mention the violence and degradation they are subjected to. And I'm not talking about sex trafficking, I'm talking about sex work. Many women in third world countries are forced into sex work so that they can feed their family. For them, it's far from empowering.

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Arya Stark

I can see where you're coming from, Lateralus! Maybe the separation shouldn't be between sex work and sex trafficking, but instead between choosing and not choosing.

Those who choose to be sex workers (and this probably applies majorly to the Western World), may feel the most empowered. And while their experiences cannot be compared to those who are forced, they can be compared to those who choose to be sex workers because of a lack of an income or a decent job.

The job market, even here, is tough. And I think that in many cases, being a sex worker both brings in more money and feels less degrading than, for example, being a cleaning lady for a wealthy family in NYC.

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Scarlett O'Hara

Thanks Neapolitan, its nice that someone isn't trying to make me out to be something that I'm not. I absolutely know there is a glamourous/empowering side to it. That's all well and good but to balance the situation I wanted to introduce women who had had negative experiences with acting in porn films, hence the thread. The reason Shelley Lubben advertises herself as an ex porn star is to have current porn stars relate to her and her experiences. She has a pink cross foundation to help the women who want to get out of porn but are in a situation where its difficult to get out. Of course there are women that love being in porn films and have positive experiences with it, good for them I'm glad they are respected by their peers and are empowered.

If you think my posts are to make myself look better then you really are pulling hairs. I personally am really passionate about getting a better understanding of sex work and on a separate topic, human trafficking. I have watched documentary after documentary and many articles just to learn some more about it.

The STD issue was actually going to be my next topic. There is a huge problem with porn stars contracting STDs because they don't wear condoms a lot of the time. Allegedly the clinics run by porn companies often lie about test results to porn stars but I don't know how true that is.

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Dr_Rez

All this debate, idk how you can say porns bad. Without it how would I get my fix of animal/midget public park blowbangs?

Thats right I would suffer without it.

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ThePhanastasio

I think that porn, for its intended purpose (wanking) is harmless in daily intervals. I think there is moderate degradation to be had, but the money is damn good. And hell, look at Sasha Grey. She's hot as all get-out, but I've still seen hotter in porn. She made a name for herself.

In my region, the sex trade is whack. It's pillwhores wanting oxy or heroin, and all of them are repulsive. Porn itself, though, is at least moderately differentiated. Even if there's just a loophole that allows it and doesn't consider it prostitution, that's all right by me.

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Astronomer

You bring up a good point, ThePhanastasio, which is the differentiation between pornography as a product, and being a sex worker...

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ThePhanastasio

The way I understand it: A prostitute is performing sex on one person for money, and that is illegal. A porn actress is having sex with another person, also being paid for said sex, and the audience is not just one person.

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